Hershey's Best Brownies

I have been meaning to make these for a long time now, I've had all the ingredients in the fridge/cupboard, however, I just never got around to it....but today (in Michigan, at least!) it's Sweetest Day. Basically, it's a Hallmark Holiday kinda like Valentine's Day. I do believe it's a Midwest thing... Anyway, we're going to my sister and brother-in-law's house today and along with a pre-made lasagna, I'm bringing these babies along...it will be a nice sweet surprise for dessert! These turned out great, the perfect balance between cakey and chewy...I also added 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter and a half cup of Heath bits.

Hershey's Best Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped nuts(optional) - I didn't have any, but added chocolate chips and Heath bits instead

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Place butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with spoon after each addition. Add cocoa; beat until well blended. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat well. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Frost if desired. Cut into bars.

About 36 brownies.